Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park | Chattanooga

The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park is a cherished and dynamic zoological attraction located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering an immersive wildlife experience across approximately 13 acres within the city’s Warner Park. It is widely recognized for its commitment to animal conservation, education, and community engagement. The zoo’s welcoming environment, diverse collection of animals, and thoughtful design make it a favorite destination for families, school groups, and nature enthusiasts.

Location and Setting

Situated at 301 North Holtzclaw Avenue, the Chattanooga Zoo benefits from its placement within Warner Park, a large urban park that provides a naturalistic backdrop with mature trees, gently rolling terrain, and walking paths. The park setting enhances the zoo’s atmosphere by blending wildlife habitats with green space, creating a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

Animal Collection and Exhibits

The zoo is home to over 500 animals representing more than 160 species, encompassing mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians from a range of global ecosystems. The exhibits are carefully designed to replicate natural habitats, fostering animal welfare and providing educational insights for visitors.

Key exhibits include:

Cape of Africa: This expansive exhibit, which represents the zoo's largest investment in recent years (approximately $3.9 million), showcases a variety of African species in a recreated savannah setting. Highlights include servals (medium-sized wild cats), Cape porcupines, warthogs, Aldabra giant tortoises, and a large outdoor giraffe habitat spanning 20,000 square feet. The exhibit encourages visitors to observe the behaviors and interactions of these species in a habitat designed to mimic their native environment.

Makazi Ya Twiga (Home of the Giraffes): This dedicated giraffe exhibit allows guests to view and learn about these towering animals up close. Visitors can participate in giraffe feeding experiences, enhancing personal connection and educational value.

Himalayan Passage: This habitat features species from the Himalayan mountain region, including elusive red pandas, the striking snow leopards, and social Hanuman langurs. The exhibit is designed to evoke the high-altitude terrain and vegetation of the Himalayas.

Gombe Forest: Named in honor of Jane Goodall's research site in Tanzania, this $2.1 million exhibit is a carefully constructed environment for chimpanzees. The space offers climbing structures, pools, and enrichment devices that simulate natural chimpanzee behaviors and promote physical and mental health.

Walkin’ the Tracks: This exhibit focuses on North American wildlife, such as the elusive jaguar and endangered red wolves, alongside more commonly known species like lemurs, providing a blend of local and exotic fauna.

Corcovado Jungle: Showcasing animals from Central and South America, this exhibit houses species like ocelots and capuchin monkeys, highlighting the biodiversity of tropical rainforests.

Deserts & Forests of the World: This section displays reptiles and birds adapted to various arid and forested environments, educating visitors about the adaptations and survival strategies of animals from diverse climates.

Hiwassee Hellbender Research and Education Facility: Unique to the zoo is this specialized conservation program focusing on the hellbender salamander, an endangered aquatic species native to the Hiwassee River and other Tennessee waterways. The facility emphasizes research, captive breeding, and public education to support species recovery efforts.

Educational and Interactive Programs

The Chattanooga Zoo prioritizes educational outreach and hands-on experiences, offering a variety of programs to engage visitors:

Giraffe Feedings: Offered Wednesday through Sunday, guests can feed giraffes by hand, deepening appreciation for these animals’ biology and conservation status. This interactive experience requires a nominal fee ($4 for members, $5 for non-members) and is supervised by zoo staff for safety and educational commentary.

Guided Zoo Tours: Available seasonally (March through September), these 30-minute tours focus on specific animal groups such as carnivores, primates, or reptiles. Led by knowledgeable guides, tours provide insights into animal behavior, habitat needs, and conservation challenges.

WILD Encounters: These behind-the-scenes, small-group experiences allow visitors to interact closely with select animals like red pandas, meerkats, and Komodo dragons. Booking in advance is required, with proceeds supporting the zoo’s conservation programs.

School and Group Programs: The zoo offers tailored educational sessions for schools, scouts, and community groups, featuring curriculum-aligned content and hands-on learning activities designed to inspire stewardship and wildlife awareness.

Visitor Amenities

The Chattanooga Zoo is designed for comfort and convenience, with facilities and services that enhance the guest experience:

Admission and Pricing: General admission fees vary by age group, with adults typically paying between $12.95 and $16.95 and children (ages 3–12) between $9.95 and $13.95. Children under two enter free. Special discounts are offered to military personnel, veterans, students, and participants in assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC through the Zoo for All initiative.

Food Services: Visitors can enjoy meals and snacks at the zoo’s onsite Wild Burger café, which offers a range of casual dining options. Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the zoo to maintain cleanliness and safety.

Rides and Attractions: The zoo features the Zoo Choo Train and a traditional carousel, adding a playful dimension for families with young children. The train ride offers a narrated tour around parts of the zoo, while the carousel provides classic amusement in a charming setting.

Accessibility: The zoo is fully wheelchair accessible, with paved pathways and accessible restrooms throughout the grounds. Sensory-friendly amenities include quiet zones near specific exhibits (e.g., alpacas), sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and tactile tools available upon request, making the zoo inclusive for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Gift Shop: The zoo’s gift shop sells educational toys, souvenirs, apparel, and locally crafted items, supporting both the zoo’s fundraising and visitor engagement.

Conservation and Community Impact

The Chattanooga Zoo actively participates in regional, national, and international conservation efforts, particularly focusing on endangered species native to the southeastern United States and globally threatened animals. Programs like the hellbender salamander recovery and partnerships with organizations such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) underscore its commitment to wildlife preservation.

Beyond conservation, the zoo serves as a vital community resource, providing educational opportunities, volunteering programs, and seasonal events that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and appreciation for biodiversity.

Summary

The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park offers a comprehensive, well-rounded zoological experience characterized by its diverse animal exhibits, interactive educational programs, and strong emphasis on conservation. Nestled within the green expanse of Warner Park, it provides visitors with the chance to explore global wildlife within thoughtfully recreated habitats. Whether feeding giraffes, observing rare species like snow leopards and red pandas, or learning about local ecological conservation, guests of all ages find the zoo both engaging and inspiring. Its dedication to accessibility, community involvement, and sustainability makes it a model institution that balances entertainment with education and environmental stewardship.